Digital Aerial Baseline Survey of Marine Wildlife in Support of Offshore Wind Energy. Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report

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1 Digital Aerial Baseline Survey of Marine Wildlife in Support of Offshore Wind Energy Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report

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3 Digital Aerial Baseline Survey of Marine Wildlife in Support of Offshore Wind Energy Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report Prepared for New York State Energy Research and Development Authority 17 Columbia Circle Albany, NY Prepared by Normandeau Associates, Inc NW 6th Street, Suite A Gainesville, FL with APEM, Inc. 747 Southwest 2nd Avenue, Suite 226 Gainesville, FL December 2016

4 Introduction The first summer survey for the Digital Aerial Baseline Survey of Marine Wildlife in Support of Offshore Wind Energy for the New York Offshore Planning Area (OPA) and Wind Energy Area (WEA) began on 26 July 2016 and finished 9 August Target extraction for the first summer survey for the NYSERDA Offshore Planning Area (OPA) and Wind Energy Area (WEA) was started in August All target extraction and quality control of target extraction was completed by 26 October Image analysis was completed by 6 December 2016 with all animals identified and identifications reaching quality control standards. Animals were also fully georeferenced with exact locations of individuals available for review on the data portal. Methods The survey collected imagery covering a km 2 area of the OPA and 103 km 2 of the WEA (Table 1), amounting to 311,614 images. Of the 311,614 images collected, 296,757 were blank. The initial target extraction identified 13,620 objects within imagery collected within the OPA and 573 objects within imagery exclusively covering the WEA. These targets have been categorized into nine groups representing avian (birds), turtles, marine mammals, rays, sharks, bony fish individuals (excluding fish shoals), fixed structures, vessels, and unknown/other (Table 2). Of the large bony fish, only ocean sunfish was identified to species (see Table 11 for a full list of scientific names). No bats were found in imagery. Extracted targets placed into the unknown/other category tended to be subsurface detritus or floating organic matter that the extraction process had identified as potentially being an animal. Other reclassifications of targets included corrections of shark and marine mammal extraction identifications into fish. Species listed as Endangered or Threatened under the Endangered Species Act were flagged for review. A total of 943 individuals were categorized into this group. This categorization was conservative. For example, it is possible that Sterna tern could represent roseate tern, and so all such identifications were placed into the endangered category (Table 3). Inability to identify this species group to individual species was usually a result of the angle of the bird and an inability to see the bird s head and bill. Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 4

5 Table 1. Total Images and Area Surveyed Area Total Number of Images Collected Total km 2 Area Collected Number of Images within the Survey Area km 2 of Images within the Survey Area Percent Coverage Survey Area (km 2 ) WEA area a 11,146 a , % OPA area 300,468 3, ,211 3, % 43, Total 311,614 3, ,798 3, % b 44, a This table only represents the imagery that was processed and analysed per the scope of work. An additional 10% percent coverage was collected for the WEA but is being stored if needed for future processing and analysis. b Percent coverage of the entire OPA including the WEA imagery. Table 2. Targets Identified Group Total (OPA and WEA) OPA WEA Avian 2,088 2,081 7 Turtles Marine mammals 1,035 1,033 2 Rays 8,407 8, Sharks Large Bony Fish (excluding shoals) Fixed Structure Vessel Unknown/Other Table 3. Endangered Species Act Listed Species Identified Group Total (OPA and WEA) OPA WEA Avian Turtles Marine mammals Sharks Quality Control All identifications were made by biologists highly experienced in their species group. A minimum of 20% of all images identified were reviewed by a taxonomic expert and taxonomic agreement had to meet a minimum of 90% concurrence (Table 4). Failure to do would trigger a review of 100% of identifications made by the individual concerned. The 20% review included quality control review of 100% of ESAlisted species, and for endangered species a 100% agreement had to be reached on identifications (Table Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 5

6 5). Additional experts in the species concerned were called in to arbitrate identifications when concurrence could not be reached. Results Quality Control Results (Summer 2016) Table 4. All Species Taxonomic Group Number of Images Number of Images for QC % Agreement Reached Avian 2, Turtles Marine mammals 1, Rays 8,407 1, Sharks TOTAL 14,374 2, Table 5. Endangered Species Only Taxonomic Group Number of Images % Agreement Reached Avian Turtles Marine mammals Sharks TOTAL Identification Success Identification success varied by species groups and by depth of subsurface animals. All identifications had a level of certainty ascribed to them (e.g., possible, probable, and definite). Some schooling rays for example were identified as possible when groups of conspecifics had already been identified within that school. Subsurface animals were also ranked as breaching, near surface, and significantly submerged. The reason for this was to be able to evaluate whether the inability to identify animals to species stemmed from image quality, angle of the animal at point of capture, or from depth in the water. Digital imagery captured from downward rather than angled sensors sees through the water column more effectively, and more animals are observed. Visual surveyors from boats and digital imagery captured by angled lenses will see fewer animals to a greater or lesser degree because subsurface animals are hidden by the water column. However, this improvement in reporting animal presence by downward facing lenses sometimes is at a cost of species identification because of the depth of the animal. All avian identifications were classified to species group (Table 6). Of gull species 12% remained at group level identification, 28% of petrels remained at group level, 20% of shearwaters remained at group level and 22% of shorebirds were identified to species. Of terns, 75% were identified to the group Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 6

7 sterna, which potentially includes roseate tern. Another 20% were identified to species. Only 4% of terns were unidentified to species. All other species groups consisting of cormorants, loons, and raptors achieved 100% identification success rates. Of 148 turtles not ascribed to species, 132 (89%) were rated as significantly submerged (Table 7). For marine mammals, of the 543 dolphins not ascribed to species, 480 (88%) were rated as significantly submerged (Table 8). Of the whale species, 2 out of 8 whales identified as beaked whales were significantly submerged (25%) and 120 out of 144 (83%) of whales identified as pilot whale unid. were significantly submerged (Table 8). Of 1182 rays not identified to species (Table 9), 815 (69%) were rated as significantly submerged. Species presence A total of 26 avian species or species groups were identified (Table 6); 81% of individual images was identified to species and 90% of the remaining images was identified to a species group. Of these one species group was classified as potentially endangered. This was Sterna tern, the group that includes roseate terns. For this first survey, analysts were not confident enough to separate out roseate terns from the other potential similar looking terns such as common, arctic and Forster s terns so all terns were examined by two independent taxonomists. The team is still hopeful that after collecting more data/images of this group, we will be able to have some success on future surveys; these data can be revisited in the future to reclassify if needed. Four species of turtles were encountered (Table 7). All turtle species encountered are classified as endangered (Kemp s ridley and leatherback) or threatened (green and loggerhead). There were 10 species or species groups of marine mammals identified in the imagery (Table 8). Two of these were classed as endangered at the time of the summer 2016 survey. These were fin whale and humpback whale. Effective October 11, 2016, NOAA has de-listed the West Indies DPS (the population segment that includes individuals observed off US east coast) of the humpback whale (NOAA 2016). None of the four ray species found are classified as endangered (Table 9). Of the 16 shark species or species groups, the Central and Southwest Atlantic DPS of the scalloped hammerhead is listed as threatened, while the Eastern Atlantic DPS is listed as endangered (Table 10). There were also 136 ocean sunfish found in the OPA. This species is not listed under the ESA. Table 6. Avian Species identified (2081 in OPA, 7 in WEA)* Name OPA- Subtype OPAspecies WEA- Subtype WEAspecies Cormorant 6 0 Double-crested Cormorant 6 0 Gull Great Black-backed Gull 76 0 Herring Gull 35 0 Laughing Gull 20 0 Ring-billed Gull 12 0 species unknown 4 0 species unknown Large 4 0 species unknown Small 11 0 Loon 3 0 Common Loon 3 0 Petrel 18 0 Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 7

8 Name OPA- Subtype OPAspecies WEA- Subtype WEAspecies Black-capped Petrel 13 0 species unknown 5 0 Raptor 5 0 Bald Eagle 2 0 Osprey 3 0 Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater 8 0 Cory's Shearwater Great Shearwater 73 0 Sooty Shearwater 2 0 species unknown-large species unknown-small 14 0 Shorebird 21 7 Black-bellied Plover 6 0 species unknown 15 7 Storm-petrel Wilson's Storm-Petrel Tern Least Tern a 43 0 Royal Tern 9 0 species unknown 11 0 Sterna Tern *Highlight denotes classed as endangered a listed as threatened by NYSDEC Table 7. Turtle Species Identified (573 in OPA, 13 in WEA)* Name OPA-species WEA-species Green Turtle 1 0 Kemp's Ridley Turtle 18 1 Leatherback Turtle 9 0 Loggerhead Turtle Loggerhead/Kemp's Turtle 10 0 species unknown *All listed under the Endangered Species Act Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 8

9 Table 8. Marine Mammal Species Identified (1033 in OPA, 2 in WEA)* Name OPA- Subtype OPAspecies WEA- Subtype Dolphin WEAspecies Common Bottlenose Dolphin Risso's Dolphin Short-beaked Common Dolphin 61 0 species unknown Whale Beaked Whale (unid.) 8 0 Common Minke Whale 1 0 Fin Whale 10 0 Humpback Whale a 1 0 Pilot Whale (unid.) species unknown 1 0 *Highlight denotes classed as endangered a West Indies DPS delisted from the ESA effective October 11, 2016; listed as endangered by NYSDEC Table 9. Ray Species identified (8176 in OPA, 231 in WEA) Name OPA-species WEA-species Bluntnose Stingray 1 0 Bullnose Ray 2 0 Cownose Ray 3, Cownose/Bullnose Ray 3, Giant Manta Ray species unknown 1, Table 10. Shark Species Identified (778 in OPA, 164 in WEA)* Name OPA-species WEA-species Basking Shark 1 0 Blue Shark 5 0 Bull Shark 1 0 Carcharhinidae (unid.) Dusky Shark 1 0 Great Hammerhead 6 0 Great White Shark 1 0 Hammerhead (unid.) Oceanic Whitetip Shark 1 0 Sandbar Shark 1 0 Scalloped Hammerhead 21 0 Smooth Hammerhead 9 0 Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 9

10 Name OPA-species WEA-species species unknown Thresher Shark 2 0 Tiger Shark 3 0 Whale Shark 2 0 *Highlight denotes classed as threatened or endangered Spatial Distribution of Animals Classed as Threatened or Endangered All animals except fish shoals have had their location mapped, and we have very precise location data. Presenting locations of animals spread over such a broad area is difficult as the size of the icon representing the animal suggests a greater spatial use than is real. A better idea of spatial use can be obtained by using the map tool in REMOTe.com, which allows for zoom. Images below show the locations of the endangered species encountered in the Summer 2016 survey. Citations NOAA Endangered and Threatened Species; Identification of 14 Distinct Population Segments of the Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Revision of Species-Wide Listing; Final Rule. Federal Register 81(174): Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 10

11 Sterna Tern Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 11

12 Green Turtle Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 12

13 Kemp s Ridley Turtle Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 13

14 Leatherback Turtle Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 14

15 Loggerhead Turtle Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 15

16 Fin Whale Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 16

17 Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 17

18 Hammerhead (unid.) Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 18

19 Table 11. List of Species and their scientific names found in Imagery during Summer 2016 surveys Subtype: Common Name Class Species Order Family Scientific Name Raptor: Bald Eagle Aves Accipitriformes Accipitridae Haliaeetus leucocephalus Raptor: Osprey Aves Accipitriformes Pandionidae Pandion haliaetus Shorebird: Black-bellied Plover Aves Charadriiformes Charadriidae Pluvialis squatarola Gull: Herring Gull Aves Charadriiformes Laridae Larus argentatus Gull: Ring-billed Gull Aves Charadriiformes Laridae Larus delawarensis Gull: Great Black-backed Gull Aves Charadriiformes Laridae Larus marinus Gull: Laughing Gull Aves Charadriiformes Laridae Leucophaeus atricilla Tern: Sterna Tern Aves Charadriiformes Laridae NULL Tern: Least Tern Aves Charadriiformes Laridae Sternula antillarum Tern: Royal Tern Aves Charadriiformes Laridae Thalasseus maximus Loon: Common Loon Aves Gaviiformes Gaviidae Gavia immer Storm-petrel: Wilson's Storm-Petrel Aves Procellariiformes Hydrobatidae Oceanites oceanicus Shearwater: Great Shearwater Aves Procellariiformes Procellariidae Ardenna gravis Shearwater: Sooty Shearwater Aves Procellariiformes Procellariidae Ardenna grisea Shearwater: Cory's Shearwater Aves Procellariiformes Procellariidae Calonectris diomedea Petrel: Black-capped Petrel Aves Procellariiformes Procellariidae Pterodroma hasitata Shearwater: Audubon's Shearwater Aves Procellariiformes Procellariidae Puffinus lherminieri Cormorant: Double-crested Cormorant Aves Suliformes Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax auritus Bony Fish: Ocean Sunfish Actinopterygii Tetraodontiformes Molidae Mola mola Ray: Bluntnose Stingray Chondrichthyes Rajiformes Dasyatidae Dasyatis say Ray: Giant Manta Ray Chondrichthyes Rajiformes Mobulidae Manta birostris Ray: Bullnose Ray Chondrichthyes Rajiformes Myliobatidae Myliobatis freminvillii Ray: Cownose Ray Chondrichthyes Rajiformes Rhinopteridae Rhinoptera bonasus Shark: Carcharhinidae (unid.) Chondrichthyes Carcharhiniformes Carcharhinidae NULL Shark: Bull Shark Chondrichthyes Carcharhiniformes Carcharhinidae Carcharhinus leucas Shark: Oceanic Whitetip Shark Chondrichthyes Carcharhiniformes Carcharhinidae Carcharhinus longimanus Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 19

20 Subtype: Common Name Class Species Order Family Scientific Name Shark: Dusky Shark Chondrichthyes Carcharhiniformes Carcharhinidae Carcharhinus obscurus Shark: Sandbar Shark Chondrichthyes Carcharhiniformes Carcharhinidae Carcharhinus plumbeus Shark: Tiger Shark Chondrichthyes Carcharhiniformes Carcharhinidae Galeocerdo cuvier Shark: Blue Shark Chondrichthyes Carcharhiniformes Carcharhinidae Prionace glauca Shark: Scalloped Hammerhead Chondrichthyes Carcharhiniformes Sphyrnidae Sphyrna lewini Shark: Great Hammerhead Chondrichthyes Carcharhiniformes Sphyrnidae Sphyrna mokarran Shark: Smooth Hammerhead Chondrichthyes Carcharhiniformes Sphyrnidae Sphyrna zygaena Shark: Basking Shark Chondrichthyes Lamniformes Cetorhinidae Cetorhinus maximus Shark: Great White Shark Chondrichthyes Lamniformes Lamnidae Carcharodon carcharias Whale: Common Minke Whale Mammalia Cetartiodactyla Balaenopteridae Balaenoptera acutorostrata Whale: Fin Whale Mammalia Cetartiodactyla Balaenopteridae Balaenoptera physalus Whale: Humpback Whale Mammalia Cetartiodactyla Balaenopteridae Megaptera novaeangliae Dolphin: Short-beaked Common Dolphin Mammalia Cetartiodactyla Delphinidae Delphinus delphis Dolphin: Risso's Dolphin Mammalia Cetartiodactyla Delphinidae Grampus griseus Dolphin: Common Bottlenose Dolphin Mammalia Cetartiodactyla Delphinidae Tursiops truncatus Turtle: Loggerhead/Kemp's Turtle Reptilia Testudines Cheloniidae NULL Turtle: Loggerhead Turtle Reptilia Testudines Cheloniidae Caretta caretta Turtle: Green Turtle Reptilia Testudines Cheloniidae Chelonia mydas Turtle: Kemp's Ridley Turtle Reptilia Testudines Cheloniidae Lepidochelys kempii Turtle: Leatherback Turtle Reptilia Testudines Dermochelyidae Dermochelys coriacea Summer 2016 Taxonomic Analysis Summary Report 20